BEIJING, Sept.17 (CGTN) -- China highly appreciates the decision of the Solomon Islands' government to recognize the one-China principle and break the so-called "diplomatic ties" with the Taiwan authorities, Chinese Foreign Ministry said on Monday.

Hua Chunying, spokesperson for the ministry, made the remarks after the government of Solomon Islands voted that they will sever "diplomatic relations" with Taiwan on Monday.

There is but one China in the world, stressed Hua.

The government of the People's Republic of China is the sole legitimate government that represents the whole of China, and that Taiwan is an inalienable part of China's territory, said Hua.

This is a basic fact and the universal consensus of the international community, she added.

Solomon Islands is the sixth country Taiwan loses as a "diplomatic ally" since Taiwan leader Tsai Ing-wen took office in 2016 – following Burkina Faso, the Dominican Republic, São Tomé and Príncipe, Panama, and El Salvador.

The number of Taiwan's remaining allies has shrunk to 16.